My RHA
Meet Matt
23rd May 2023 | posted in News
New Railway Housing Association Board member Matt Lewer believes putting the resident first is key to maintaining a successful and sustainable housing association.
Matt, who has a wealth of experience in the housing sector, is the Service Transformation Lead at the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust (JRHT), ensuring the resident’s voice is heard.
“As with Railway Housing, a number of residents at Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust will be with us for many years so it is important that they are involved in and at the centre of the decision-making process,” says Matt. “Residents pay for a service, and it is up to us to deliver the best service possible.”
Initially Matt studied to be a primary school teacher but after deciding it wasn’t for him completed a Masters’ degree in public leadership and gravitated towards the social housing sector.
He says it was whilst running a not-for-profit organisation in York that he realised he had found his calling.
“In my work reducing fuel poverty I could see every day the negative impact cold, damp accommodation has on people and families, how important it is to have a safe, secure, warm home,” says Matt.
“Whatever other challenges people face, whether it is a child with problems at school or an adult unable to find work, to have a safe haven where you can think things through can make such a difference. It’s one major problem solved allowing time to focus on the others.”
Whilst ensuring homes are of a good quality is a priority, Matt firmly believes the role of a housing association extends far beyond bricks and mortar.
“The immediate challenge is the cost-of-living crisis and helping residents to pay their bills. If we gain trust so residents talk to us when there is a problem then we can give practical advice and put them in touch with agencies that can help with their specific needs,” he says.
Looking further ahead, the de-carbonisation of housing is something the entire sector will be dealing with, and Matt believes JRHT and Railway Housing face similar challenges.
“Including green energy in new builds is already underway, the greater challenge is with existing properties and both organisations have some dating back 100 years,” he says. “We need to ensure those residents benefit from more energy efficient homes as well and that any retrofit is as unobtrusive as possible.”
Outside of work Matt and his wife Jane enjoy being active with their children, keen cricketer Millie, 12, and eight-year-old football nut Ned. When not ferrying kids to sporting events, trips to the coast especially Bridlington, Scarborough and Saltburn, are a popular way to wind down.
From personal and professional experience Matt is aware of how important the solid base of a home can be.
“Housing is a sector that can really change lives, I have seen the transformative effect good quality housing can have on lives and it is a privilege to be a part of that,” he says.
